SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) — Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton will start the season on the disabled list because of an injured left knee.

Rangers assistant general manager Thad Levine said the five-time All-Star, bothered by swelling in the knee, received a stem cell and platelet rich plasma injection Monday, when he was examined by Dr. James Andrews.

Hamilton, the 2010 AL MVP, will be on crutches for seven-to-10 days and is projected to need eight weeks of recovery time. Levine said Hamilton likely would start a minor league rehabilitation assignment in late April and the Rangers hope he will return to their lineup in early May.

Levine says "the reason we are giving him an eight-week program is so we don't cut any corners and give him a full spring training."

 

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